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Our
history

Discover the milestones of the LÄPPLE Group.

Over a century of company history - that's more than just a number. It is over 100 years full of ideas, challenges, successes and changes. During this time, the LÄPPLE Group has reinvented itself time and again without losing its roots.

Our history is a story of technical passion, entrepreneurial courage and a shared desire to shape the future. Discover what has moved – and driven – us since 1919.

LÄPPLE Time travel

Our history: characterized by precision and a pioneering spirit

It all begins with a courageous decision: On April 1, 1919, August Läpple founded a small mechanical workshop with a metalworking shop in Weinsberg near Heilbronn. With a journeyman and an apprentice, he initially repaired bicycles and agricultural machinery – and manufactured cutter bars for mowing machines.

From the very beginning, the founder's work was characterized by passion, craftsmanship and high quality standards. August Läpple knows how to create economical solutions for specific customer problems – precise, reliable and future-oriented. His guiding principle "Standing still is a step backwards" becomes the driving force behind continuous further development.

Over the decades, the small workshop grows into a group of companies that impresses with its innovative strength, technical excellence and entrepreneurial vision. Today, the LÄPPLE Group, with around 2,000 employees worldwide, supplies high-quality pressed parts, body shell components and standard parts – and stands for maximum precision in all areas.

Whether in the production of complex sheet metal parts or in the development of dimensionally accurate standard parts: Our commitment to quality and precision remains unchanged – and is brought to life every day.

Our milestones

2025

Clear focus on the core business

Following the successful handover of the FIBRO Rotary Tables (end of 2023) and FLT Automation (end of 2024) divisions, the LÄPPLE Group is clearly focusing its strategy on its two core business areas: LÄPPLE Automotive and FIBRO. This will strengthen the company's position in the areas of forming technology, car body construction and standard parts.

2024

Expansion in North America

In September 2024, LÄPPLE Automotive opens a new site in Detroit, triggered by a major spare parts order from an American electric vehicle manufacturer. This revitalized the traditional Mount Elliott plant – a symbolic step in the LÄPPLE Group's international growth strategy.

2024

New presence in Southeast Asia

FIBRO Standrad Parts establishes a new sales location in Malaysia in 2024 in order to tap into the growth potential in the ASEAN market and provide even more direct support to customers in the region.

2023

Entry into prototype production

LÄPPLE Automotive receives its first order in the area of start-up and prototype production. The special expertise in dealing with the production of complex components is transferred from classic production to the challenges of the early vehicle development phase – an important step towards diversifying the product portfolio.

2022
Rohbauanlage in Aktion
Rohbauanlage im LÄPPLE AUTOMOTIVE Werk in Heilbronn in Aktion

Start of the largest module project

LÄPPLE Automotive starts series production of the largest module project in the company's history at its Heilbronn site. The rear floor for seven derivatives of a well-known OEM is manufactured on a production area of 5,200 m². In the highly automated production line, 101 robots work at a cycle time of 68 seconds - with a daily capacity of up to 1,000 units.

2021

Expansion of the range of services at FIBRO

FIBRO has been offering services for consolidating and picking standard parts since 2021. This means that customers receive all the standard parts they need for a tool from a single source – efficient, time-saving and process-oriented. This service strengthens customer loyalty and expands the range of services beyond pure product delivery.

2019

Foundation of LÄPPLE Taicang

The establishment of LÄPPLE Taicang bundles the efforts of all companies in China. The operational business and production can now take place close to the customer. The sales activities of FIBRO and FLT remain separate.

2018

Expansion of production in India

A second plant is being built at the site in Pune to expand FIBRO's production capacity for standard parts and rotary tables.

2017

Investment in infrastructure

For the largest order in the company's history, the company is building a hall measuring over 5,000 m², in which vehicle parts will be produced in seven different lines and cells with almost 60 robots from 2018.

2015

Expansion at the Heilbronn plant

A 2,500-ton transfer press with servo-direct technology is built at the Heilbronn site. The press expands the portfolio of XL presses and enables the production of complex structural parts made of steel and aluminum.

2012

Expansion of the Asian market

The establishment of FIBRO Korea Co. Ltd. and FIBRO (Shanghai) Standard Parts Co., Ltd. China will further promote internationalization on the Asian market.

2011

Expansion at the Heilbronn plant

Due to the increasing order situation, a new shell construction area with over 3,500 m² is created at the Heilbronn plant.

2011

Bundling of automation expertise

In future, the new company FIBRO LÄPPLE TECHNOLOGY GmbH (formerly FIBRO-GSA and LÄPPLE Anlagenbau) will bundle expertise in the field of automation.

2008

Expansion to India

Following the foundation of FIBRO India, the company builds its own production plant in Pune.

2004

Reinforcement in the field of automation

The company GSA-Automation is acquired and integrated into FIBRO to expand the robotics and automation portfolio.

2000

Foundation of LÄPPLE AG

At the end of 2000, the Läpple family retires from operational management. The company is renamed a public limited company. The family still holds 100% of the shares today.

1990

New plant in Teublitz

Three years after the closure of the Maxhütte-Haidhof ironworks, LÄPPLE takes over the 400,000 m² site for the sheet metal processing division. After conversion and renovation, production starts in the new plant in May 1991.

1974

Expansion of the portfolio with standard parts and rotary tables

LÄPPLE takes over FIBRO GmbH, manufacturer of standard parts and rotary tables at the Weinsberg and Haßmersheim sites.

1968

Company founder August Läpple dies

Company founder August Läpple dies at the age of 83 on November 6, 1968.

1958

LÄPPLE is the largest independent tool manufacturer in Germany

By manufacturing large tools for car body construction, for the motorcycle, helmet and refrigerator industries as well as small tools of various kinds, the company grew strongly in the 1950s and employed over 1,300 people.

1950

Relocation to the new Heilbronn plant

In order to meet the increasing demand for space in the long term, LÄPPLE moves completely to Heilbronn in 1950. A new factory is built on a site on Austraße, where the headquarters of LÄPPLE AG are still located today.

1948

Läpple becomes Porsche's first supplier

With the liberalization of the automotive industry after the currency reform in 1948, the number of orders increases sharply. The company becomes the first supplier to the Stuttgart car manufacturer Porsche, for which it still produces today.

1940

Takeover by the second generation

August Läpple steps down from operational management. His sons Erich and Helmut Läpple and son-in-law Ernst Fleischmann subsequently take over the management of the company.

1930

Foundation of the Läpple training workshop

In-house, high-quality training and employee qualification is important to the entrepreneur. In 1930, he therefore establishes his own department, the training workshop, and lays the foundation for today's LÄPPLE training and further education.

1928

First major orders in the automotive industry

As a result of the expansion of the production spectrum, the company enters into toolmaking for various industries and records its first major orders from the automotive industry in 1928.

1919

Foundation of a craft business

On April 1, 1919, August Läpple (1885-1968) founded a small mechanical workshop with a metalworking shop in Weinsberg. There he initially repairs bicycles and agricultural machinery and manufactures cutter bars for mowing machines.